Catherine Graham Santa Cruz Sentinel Mar 25, 2020 A

Dazzling, violent, star-driven thrill rides are routine. Finding an intelligent, well-written, old-fashioned movie-movie has become an event. Thus, it is a thrill to watch Without Limits.

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Sep 7, 2011 A-

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John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews Jul 24, 2011 B

intelligent character study of a mythologized athlete

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Caffeinated Clint Brag Magazine Feb 3, 2009 3/5

A brilliantly performed, gut-wrenchingly sad flick

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Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Aug 5, 2008

Whether he would have won at the next Olympics, we'll never know. What we do know is that Towne, a man of ruefully romantic temperament, has found a soulmate in Steve Prefontaine.

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Todd McCarthy Variety Aug 5, 2008

With a very good part for a change, Sutherland invests the imposing Bowerman with a host of subtly expressed attitudes toward his most illustrious charge.

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Sandra Contreras TV Guide Aug 5, 2008 2.5/4

Except for a few lapses, co-scriptwriters Kenny Moore and Towne allow Pre's aura to remain undisturbed by overdramatization and psychological speculation.

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Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Oct 14, 2007 3/4

A couple of sterling lead performances by Billy Crudup and Donald Sutherland.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jul 22, 2005 3/5

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Louis B. Parks Houston Chronicle Jul 21, 2005

Without Limits wins as a sports film precisely because it's not really about sports or a great victory.

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Daniel Eagan Film Journal International Jul 26, 2004 2/5

Bland biopic about runners

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Sarah Chauncey Reel.com Jun 10, 2004 4/5

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James Rocchi Netflix Nov 7, 2002 4.5/5

Both Crudup and Sutherland deliver superb performances in the support of a thoughtful, committed, and richly visualized film.

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Rick Groen Globe and Mail Jul 12, 2002 3/4

Without Limits is an admirable departure from the norm, but its greatest strength doubles as an undermining weakness.

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Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Mar 3, 2002

Offers plenty of interesting insights into the beauty, the poetry, the drama, and the science of athletic competition.

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Peter Travers Rolling Stone May 11, 2001

As Pre, Billy Crudup is dynamite -- a magnetic star presence who's unafraid to show how Pre's drive also makes him a bit of a prick.

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Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Feb 14, 2001

Towne's most important contribution, aside from his gift for structure and willingness to direct this story in a classic, straight-ahead manner, is the power of his words.

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Steve Rhodes Internet Reviews Jan 1, 2000 3/4

Even at almost a full two hours in length, the movie feels as trim as its star.

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Urban Cinefile Critics Urban Cinefile Jan 1, 2000

If you are, like me, a reluctant consumer of sporting films, you are in a for a terrific surprise.

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Paul Tatara CNN.com Jan 1, 2000

Definitely has its problems, but it's still one of the best sports movies I've ever seen.

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